Allegri enjoys Milan's good fortune

Massimiliano Allegri, Milan coachWe have achieved our second target of the season. We took some risks in the first half and also in the closing stages of the game. Tonight we had a bit of luck, but we can say we earned our good fortune. The team played very well from a physical point of view, defending strongly and never losing their focus. Mario Balotelli played a good game, as did the rest of the side. Mario is growing fast and learning exactly what we need from him. His personality is strengthening and this is good news for Milan and Italy.

Frank de Boer, Ajax coachMy players really did everything possible to get a good result. We created chances but luck was not on our side in this match. In the first half particularly we were searching, we were a bit insecure in our passing, and in the end Milan found their strength and they could sit back in their penalty box. Then you just need a bit of luck – that the ball will fall in the right way. We have had the opportunities to decide it, but unfortunately real football did not win today.

At half-time I said we needed to have patience, but that that does not mean playing at a low tempo but at a high tempo – playing the ball very fast from left to right. Then a moment will come when someone will get in a free position and you can create some dangerous situations. I am proud of my boys, how we fought for it. It is a pity we did not qualify for the next stage, as we had the upper hand in both matches against Milan. That is something we take with us and that is a real positive. This is a huge disappointment, but certainly not a body blow.

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